Day 6…Thanks to our faithful volunteers!

Make a Difference

Who doesn’t like a day at the beach? Relaxing. Enjoying the grandeur of God’s creation.  We all need a break sometimes. However, this is not the time. 

We have to remember all the innocent babies who will never get to play in the sand and we need to stand up for them. 

I’m reminded of the story of the little boy observed by a man at the beach, who walked along picking up starfish after a storm one at a time and returning them to the ocean. After watching him for awhile, the man asked what he was doing. The boy told him he was retuning them to the ocean before they die. The man asked what difference would it make given the miles of beach and countless starfish. The boy picked up another starfish and tossed it back into the ocean. He turned, smiled at the man and replied “it makes a big difference to that one!”.

So please join us on the beach at 933 Liberty Avenue and make a difference.  Be courageous and tell a friend, student or family member and bring them with you.  Sign up or just show up but come and save a starfish. GBY Tim

Keep reading for today’s sidewalk stories…

Joe W. & Nikki

It was really nice to talk and pray with my friend and brother in Christ, Joe. Thank you Joe for going the extra mile and taking a second weekly shift during these 40 days! It was very cold, but felt the warmth of our Christian fellowship as we prayed and talked. PP seemed not to be open for business yet, no one went in while I was there. They will probably open later today though, as the guard was there. God bless all who are helping us to fill these Mondays, which seem to be really hard to fill for some reason.

Elsie & Bernie

Joe W. had set up all the signs, models, and other materials during the first shift.  Joe spent the next hour silently praying, while wearing the “We Will Help You” sign.  He also managed to have a meaningful conversation with a couple who turned out to be headed for the DMV but nonetheless accepted a Green Brochure from him.  Halfway through the shift, Bernie arrived to relieve Joe and to persevere in prayer.  Shamefully, I focused more on enduring the cold than on prayer, BUT there was reason for immense gratitude to God, as no victims entered the death mill.

Marie H

No activity at planned parenthood, and the street was also fairly quiet. I didn’t take any pictures.

Elsie & Tom

(From Elsie) Tom and I relieved Marie.  Tom prayed the Joyful Mysteries of the Rosary, and for once I felt I could join in, as no victims were entering the killing center.  Deo gratias. It seemed colder than we expected.  I strongly advise anyone going to 40Days this week to dress MORE WARMLY than you think you need to!!

Jeff & Conrad

(From Conrad) – No one entered PP.  I held our Lady. Jeff held sign “Abortion kills a human being”.  A passing young lady yelled “She is displeased with you. ”  Surprised I responded “come and tell me why” . She said something I could not understand and kept walking away. So our Lady of Guadalupe attracts attention in front of an abortion temple performing child sacrifice.   Remarkable!!

Thanks to Conrad for filling in for this extra shift, and thanks to both Jeff and Conrad for enduring the bitter cold and wind today!

Here is a “bonus” reflection by Seamus…it is so beautiful, I just had to add it:

A “Spontaneous Memorial”

Recall the time and picture in your mind the scene outside the gates of Windsor Castle in England in 1997 within hours of the tragic death of Diana, Princess of Wales involved in a horrific car accident.

If your memory serves you right, you will remember an overwhelming, spontaneous sea of beautiful flowers and accompanying cards, notes and letters of love for the U.K.’s lost beloved Princess.

You may also remember the Royal Family was initially cold and dismissive of the outpouring of the people’s beautiful expression of heartfelt love.
The British people were dismayed and disgusted by the Royal Family’s cold reaction and eventually, led by the Queen, the Royal Family capitulated and paid tribute to Diana by coming out of their “ivory tower” to view the memorial, admire the beautiful flowers and chat with their subjects in mourning.

With that in mind, I must confess that I have a personality weakness of delusional idealism somewhat comparable to Don Quixote. In my delusional quest, I envision Planned Parenthood employees and the broken and hurting patrons arriving at PP to see a “spontaneous memorial” of flowers and “love letters’ expressing God’s unlimited love for hurting mothers and fathers and the writer’s humble offer of unconditional love and a willingness go to the ends of the earth to gently guide them to resources to save their child and save them from a lifetime of regret.

Each of us involved in 40 Days is called to minister in our own unique and personal way. For me, I count first on prayer and then witness and finally a gentle, loving word.

I may be embarking on a fool’s errand; however, my days grow ever shorter and my time precious. From this day forward, I choose to add an additional arrow to my quiver and that weapon of love will be a modest bouquet of flowers and a “love letter” addressed to “Mom” every time I go to PP.

I humbly pray that the Holy Spirit will provide compassionate, tender words and that Our Lord and Savior will touch a heart.

Seamus